Letter: Civilians should remain on sidelines

A gathering applaud as police leave the scene of the arrest of a suspect of the Boston Marathon bombings in Watertown, Mass., Friday, April 19, 2013. Two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing killed an MIT police officer, injured a transit officer in a firefight and threw explosive devices at police during their getaway attempt. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

I would like to respond to a letter in Wednesday's paper. The writer showed concern regarding the unavailability to the average Boston citizen of large-magazine weapons during last week's terror arrest. I am curious if he had a chance to view the video of the gunfight between the suspects and the Boston police. If he watched the terrifying minutes of constant gunshots, yelling and lives hanging in the balance, does he really think the "average Joe" would have wanted or needed to join in the situation?

Additionally, if he saw the local news report of a former Rochestarian living in the crime scene whose chair was riddled in bullets, did he think people in those vantage points should have done anything other than take care of their safety?